Sermon notes from Mike Stone

Mike Stone

Isaiah 64:1-12

Open Up the Heavens

We have learned how to do church without the presence and power of God.

I. The presence that produces revival. V. 1-3. Revival happens when God shows up. Isaiah prays for God to show up

 A. The request. "God isn't always where He is." He is omnipresent, but can show up in His manifest presence, His glory. His manifest presence can be felt by His creation. "God you are welcome here. Jesus come and take control." The honored guest is the center of attention.

 B. The removal. If God can come, He can also go away or be gone. Isaiah is asking for God to come back. He had removed Himself from the people. Josh. 6. Akin's sin caused great problems in the midst of the camp. God departed because of the sin. Ichabod, the glory of God has departed. Rev. 3:20 behold I stand at the door and knock. Jesus was out side of His church. Why did he leave?

 C. The results of His presence. V. 3. God you have moved in the past like I am asking you to move now. When God begins to move things change. You can't stay the same and come into His presence.  There is never any doubt when God shows up.

II. The problems that prevent revival. V. 4-

 A. Satisfaction prevents revival. Most live so far beneath Gods standard of holiness that when we see genuine Christianity lived out before us, we think it strange or radical. I Cor, 2:9 Paul is quoting v. 4. He is talking about living below Gods glorious standard. Our spiritual satisfaction keeps us from experiencing Gods power in and through us. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."  Satisfaction sets the bar for how far God will move. It will reach over and cut off the gas.

 B. Sin prevents revival. V. 5 we have sinned against God. Habitual sin rather than occasional stumbling into a sin. Even our righteousness apart from the working of God is as filthy rags. (6).  2 Chronicles 7:14. Sin will turn off the power of revival.

 C. Self-sufficiency prevents revival. V. 7. God, you're not moving like I know you want to move in our church, and what scares me is not many seem to be concerned about it. Success is a great danger to our faith. Some use to serve God faithfully at church but have become so blessed that they can't serve any longer. They have enough to keep the roads hot doing things they can now afford to do. I can handle it, we can take care of it ourselves.

III. The prayer that precedes revival. Prayer isn't a result of revival. Revival is the result of prayer. V. 8-12

 A. It recognizes God's place. You can't sing it up, preach it up, cheer it up, revival is something that God must send.

 B. It requests His pardon. God hasn't moved! It is our fault. It is my fault. I deserve, you deserve, the world deserves the wrath of God. We deserve the wrath and judgment of God. Revival comes on the basis of mercy. We are at the right place when we are asking for mercy.

 C. It remembers His preeminence. V. 10-12. Isaiah is praying for revival because God deserves revival. God deserves more...for His names sake.